The Kids
Watch Manager Eddie Parry; Mayor of Wirral, councillor Dave Mitchell; Advocate Julie Mates; Tricia Hornby, outreach coordinator at Seacombe Children’s Centre and Sasha Crone family link worker at Seacombe Children’s Centre with the smoothie bike.
Party On
Staff and firefighters met with families at a special party at Seacombe Children’s
Centre in Wirral.
Around 200 people turned out to the Springtime Garden Party, where there were
a range of activities for children and stalls with information for families.
The aim was to engage with families on issues such as road safety,
healthy lifestyles and fire safety in the home.
It was organised by Watch Manager Eddie Parry, who is the Fire Community Safety Officer on the Wirral Intensive Family Intervention Programme (IFIP) and Tricia Hornby, who is the outreach co-ordinator at the children’s centre.
Partners that attended or held stalls at the event included Merseyside Police Domestic Violence Unit, Faith for Change, Catch 22, Home Start, Flagship Money Guide, Wirral Road Safety Team, Live Well and representatives from children’s centres in Seacombe, Liscard, New Brighton and Leasowe.
risk in our community.”
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Dave Mitchell, also attended and even had
a turn on the smoothie bike.
Watch Manager Parry said:
Luke Keeley, aged 4, with Firefighter Bert Parry of Wallasey Red Watch.
Jason White (Batman), aged 5, with Firefighter Andy Shotton on the road traffic collision awareness bike.
Photos: Lyndsay Young.
Children had a chance to sit on our Service’s road traffic collision awareness motorbike and have a go on our Service’s smoothie making bike.
“This was a very successful event with over 200 people attending and the sun even came out for the duration.
“Working with our partners and stakeholders is a vital part of our community engagement. This, in turn, helps us to reach young people and families at foundation level to recruit ambassadors of Merseyside Fire and Rescue and their local community.
“Events like this are a vital part of our plan to reduce fire
Prince’s Trust Programme Pays Off
Young people were all smiles at a recent presentation evening after completing the Prince’s Trust Team programme, run by our Service.
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is for 16 to 25-years-old who are not in employment, education or training. The 12-week course is aimed at developing the skills to strengthen their job prospects.
Mitchel Ncube, 18, of Norris Green, said: “I had just recently moved from South Africa to England and tried to find somewhere to continue my schooling, but unfortunately this had no positive outcome.
“I told myself I could use this course to get a brief introduction into how life is like as a student in England, and I saw the course as an opportunity to keep my brain active.”
There are 12 students on each course, which are run from Bootle/Netherton, Croxteth, Huyton and Toxteth Community Fire Stations, as well as in Birkenhead, Bromborough and Wallasey in Wirral.
Tony Canavan, Youth Co-ordinator at MF&RS, said: “The team programme really has the potential to change lives to a more positive future and gives hope to young people who perhaps think they will not be given an opportunity.”
Kieran Gould, 20, of Rock Ferry, who took part in the programme in Wirral, said: “I strongly recommend it to anyone who may be feeling unmotivated through lack of employment or education opportunities, it’s a great confidence boost.”
For information on the programme contact Tony Canavan on 07837 655627 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk
Mitchel Ncube receives an award at the end of his Prince’s Trust Team programme course from Mayor of Wirral Councillor Dave Mitchell. Photo supplied by Maria Talbot.
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